Four Things From Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp: Day One
By Ben Nielsen
Dec 1, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith (27) during the second half of the game at Arrowhead Stadium. Denver won 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
3. Sean Smith Still Running With Second Team
By the end of OTAs and minicamp, Sean Smith was relegated to the second team defense while Ron Parker took his spot as a starter next to Marcus Cooper. Nothing over the last few weeks leading up to training camp has changed the Chiefs coaching staff’s mind of bumping Smith back up to being a starter.
Smith was inconsistent in practice today based on reports. He hung with one of the backup wide receivers on a deep pass thrown by Tyler Bray and batted the pass away. Later he had trouble dealing with A.J. Jenkins, who ran a curl route and out-leaped Smith to make the catch. One would hope a 6-3 guy would be able to defend a jump ball such as that one.
While Smith fits the size requirement coveted by John Dorsey, he doesn’t possess some of the speed and athletic tools Dorsey also looks for in a defensive back. Kansas City’s desperate need for cornerbacks heading into 2013 landed Smith a lucrative three-year contract that will keep Smith in KC for at least the remainder of this season. But with a potential 11 draft picks coming next year and the Chiefs need for cap space it wouldn’t be a surprise if this is Smith’s last season with the team.